While not as edgy as some of its competitors, the <a href="http://teamtidewatervirginia.com/">Unit 6 Unplugged</a> Solar Decathlon House designed by students from <a href="http://www.odu.edu/">Old Dominion University</a> and <a href="http://www.hamptonu.edu/">Hampton University</a> took a very different approach. The <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/team_tidewater_virginia.html">Tidewater Virginia</a> team decided to stick to the historic ties of the <a href="http://www.norfolk.gov/">Norfolk</a> neighborhood and drew influence from the Arts and Crafts aesthetic. Student project manager John Whitelaw took Inhabitat on a tour of the quarters - read on for an exclusive first look!

The furniture in the Unit 6 Unplugged house also reflect the influence of the <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/acam/hd_acam.htm">Arts and Crafts movement</a>. Details reflect the characteristics which originated in England in the late 19th century and was spread worldwide by architects and designers like <a href="http://www.morrissociety.org/">William Morris</a> and <a href="http://www.franklloydwright.org/">Frank Lloyd Wright</a>.

Several pieces in the house were designed by <a href="http://www.crmsociety.com/">Charles Rennie Mackintosh</a>, a well-known architect and designer from that period. These pieces are on temporary loan from a faculty member for the duration of the competition.

The layout was designed for a family living in <a href="http://teamtidewatervirginia.com/6pack/6pack.html">multifamily housing</a> in a historic neighborhood setting, and it serves this purpose quite well.

When not open, the bedroom remains completely concealed. This feature also helps with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/5-devices-that-help-you-save-energy/">temperature control</a> by creating more localized environments which can be efficiently heated or cooled when in use.

While not as edgy as some of its competitors, the Unit 6 Unplugged Solar Decathlon House designed by students from Old Dominion University and Hampton University took a very different approach. The Tidewater Virginia team decided to stick to the historic ties of the Norfolk neighborhood and drew influence from the Arts and Crafts aesthetic. Student project manager John Whitelaw took Inhabitat on a tour of the quarters - read on for an exclusive first look!